The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2022 recipient of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award is Glenn Sperry.
Glenn will be honored along with 2022 Hall of Fame inductees Tara Hamilton-Wynne and Zane Schwenk, and Award of Distinction recipients Will Bush, Paul Gallizzi, Gary Heinbuch, Ruth Johnston, and Roger Ray on March 5, 2022 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Glenn Sperry has been active in water skiing for more than 70 years… and he hasn’t stopped. A true pioneer in the sport, he stands out as a show skier and innovator. He also has worked tirelessly on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. Glenn was recognized with a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Award of Distinction in 1998.
Glenn’s show skiing career began in the late 1940s in shows in Maryland and continuing at Cypress Gardens and Tommy Bartlett. He has traveled the world as a water skier and has been credited with creating show ski stunts such as skiing around the boat, stilt skiing, and double-double jump.
Glenn started tournament skiing in the early 1950s. By 1957 he captured the National Boys Overall Champion title including first place in slalom with a perfect score of 6@34 while riding two skis. He capped off his tournament skiing by winning the Men’s 7 National Overall Champion in 2007 exactly 50 years following his 1957 championship. He won jump with a 104-foot leap, 48 feet more than the next closest competitor.
Glenn has participated in several of the Foundation’s “Ski with the Legends” events and has undoubtedly inspired several generations of water skiers!
Glenn's enthusiasm for water skiing has never faltered and he is still looking for ways to grow and contribute to our sport.
Congratulations Glenn!
